Wednesday's letters: Broader tax base

Published: Wednesday, October 24, 2012 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, October 23, 2012 at 6:24 p.m.

To the editor: The Obama/Biden campaign is promising to fight for the middle class by lowering their taxes. Democrats lowering taxes? Yes, but they simultaneously promise to raise taxes on those more fortunate, making them pay “their fair share.” Let’s analyze just how well that would work.

Could the middle class use a tax cut? Who couldn’t? Unfortunately, if Barack Obama/Joe Biden have their way, many of those middle-class folks will have their tax burden reduced to zero because they’ll be out of a job.

Many of those more fortunate folks (who pay most of the taxes already) are employers and taxes are part of their overhead. If their tax overhead goes up, they may have to compensate by cutting another part of overhead: wages and benefits.

Tax cuts can be an alluring thing, but voters need to look before they leap. While a tax cut to zero would be nice, it wouldn’t be so nice if it came as a result of no paycheck.

Conversely, a tax cut for employers would lower their overhead, allowing them to raise wages and hire more people. The result would be a broader tax base and higher federal revenue. It works every time it’s tried.

Ed Nielsen

Hendersonville

The 47 percent

To the editor: After calling 47 percent of the nation’s population “victims who won’t take personal responsibility,” Mitt Romney says he cares about 100 percent of the people. But that’s hard to believe when he says it’s OK for 40 million to not have health insurance — they can just go to the ER. He said this in a recent “60 Minutes” interview, and repeated it to other media outlets, saying, “You go to the hospital, you get treated, and it’s paid for, either by charity, the government or by the hospital.”

I ask the questions: What charities will pick up these tabs? Have hospitals started donating their services? Which government is he referring to: Federal? State? Local? How will these governments pay for this health care?

President Barack Obama’s Affordable Care Act, on the other hand, does things differently. It establishes mechanisms so all Americans will be able to get insurance. With everyone covered, the cost of premiums goes down. Finally, the ACA has many provisions that protect consumers from the predatory practices of insurance companies, such as capping payouts, refusing coverage and arbitrarily canceling insurance.

Mr. Romney has no health insurance plan. Vote for President Obama to ensure that all Americans have access to health insurance.

Dawn Kucera

Hendersonville

Simple math

To the editor: I was amused when I read the article about the Democratic Men’s Club discussing the advantages of Obamacare.

I recently had my first personal experience with Obamacare. I called three specialists in the Hendersonville/Asheville area. Two of them said they no longer accept Medicare due to cuts in their compensation. The third said he could see me in November. When I asked why it would take so long, I was told that as more and more doctors refuse Medicare, their appointment books get filled faster; and many people who would not even consider making an appointment now do so as it costs them next to nothing.

They said it was simple math. When you keep the same number of doctors and you add 20 million new patients, the wait will get longer and longer. Be prepared.

Peter Hobson

Hendersonville

District judges

To the editor: Vote both for Emily Cowan and Peter Knight for District Court judge.

Confused? So are many, so I went on the Board of Elections website to take a look at a sample ballot. There are two contested seats for District Court judge in District 29B (Henderson, Polk and Transylvania counties).

Judge Peter Knight, serving 2008-12, is up for re-election for his current seat. I have known Peter most of the 32 years he has served as a lawyer and a judge. We need him to continue his work on our behalf! So vote to re-elect Judge Peter Knight.

Emily Cowan, with her family’s support and commitment, is running for the District Court judge’s seat vacated by Judge David Fox’s retirement. Emily’s professional and volunteer experiences have led to this election. Her focus is on family and children’s issues. She knows her stuff. Vote Emily Cowan for District Court judge.

Kristin L. Huntley

Flat Rock

A bonafide hero

To the editor: Thank you, Times-News, for the Oct. 5 front-page article, “Quadruple amputee comes home as war hero,” telling the story of Travis Mills and how his life was changed forever on April 10, losing parts of all four of his limbs after stepping on an IED in Afghanistan.

I have been following Travis’ journey on his website since April, and he is an amazing young man with an amazing wife and a 1-year-old daughter who are on this journey with him. Travis’ positive attitude and constant smile are infectious, and you cannot help but smile with him even knowing the many challenges he faces.

Heroes are not movie stars or ballplayers. Heroes are men and women like Travis Mills who are willing to lay down their lives to protect us. Let us not forget them as we go about our daily lives, and take every opportunity to say thank you. They are two little words that let our protectors know how much they are appreciated.

When I am having a bad day, I think of Travis and other wounded warriors, and I realize that my day isn’t so bad after all!

Jocelyne Wakefield

Horse Shoe

Illegal activity

To the editor: As the election draws closer, I would like to remind Democrats and our supporters that vandalism, theft and harassment are crimes. Removing candidate signs and trespassing are illegal, too. The victims of these acts are our friends and neighbors, co-workers and Americans in general. I will not encourage or condone any illegal or mischievous activity.

On Nov. 7, the election will be over, and we will all get back to the business of carrying on with our daily lives. The next-door neighbor who had the yard sign and bumper stickers that were opposite what you had will still be there. Our children will go to school together, and we will still work, shop, worship and be citizens of this great country together.

Please try to remember that before you do something in the heat of the political moment. The differences in our political ideologies make our system of government strong. Ultimately, that is what we all want.

Shelly Kingsley

Hendersonville

First Amendment

To the editor: Our country was founded on choice. Today, we cherish our right to choose: our religious beliefs, schooling for our children, where to live, and what to agree and disagree with.

Our First Amendment rights were written down as a promise to the states’ rights Founding Fathers who were afraid of a central government that would not honor our right to choose.

Our choices were more clearly defined in the vice presidential debate. Which candidate upholds the First Amendment? Which candidate does not? Let’s look at these choices with respect to abortion.

Martha Raddatz: “This debate is, indeed, historic. We have two Catholic candidates … And I would like to ask you both to tell me what role your religion has played in your own personal view on abortion.” Both candidates answered this question with equal eloquence, both indicating how religion defines who they are and how life begins at conception.

But here is where we have to choose. Barack Obama/Joe Biden refuse to impose their religious beliefs on American women. Mitt Romney/Paul Ryan believe this personal situation should not be made by choice but by legislation.

Our Founding Fathers gave us religious freedom. Why do the Republicans want deny us our First Amendment rights?

<p>To the editor: The Obama/Biden campaign is promising to fight for the middle class by lowering their taxes. Democrats lowering taxes? Yes, but they simultaneously promise to raise taxes on those more fortunate, making them pay their fair share. Let’s analyze just how well that would work.</p><p>Could the middle class use a tax cut? Who couldn’t? Unfortunately, if Barack Obama/Joe Biden have their way, many of those middle-class folks will have their tax burden reduced to zero because they’ll be out of a job.</p><p>Many of those more fortunate folks (who pay most of the taxes already) are employers and taxes are part of their overhead. If their tax overhead goes up, they may have to compensate by cutting another part of overhead: wages and benefits.</p><p>Tax cuts can be an alluring thing, but voters need to look before they leap. While a tax cut to zero would be nice, it wouldn’t be so nice if it came as a result of no paycheck.</p><p>Conversely, a tax cut for employers would lower their overhead, allowing them to raise wages and hire more people. The result would be a broader tax base and higher federal revenue. It works every time it’s tried.</p><p><em>Ed Nielsen</em></p><p><em>Hendersonville</em></p><h3>The 47 percent</h3>
<p>To the editor: After calling 47 percent of the nation’s population victims who won’t take personal responsibility, Mitt Romney says he cares about 100 percent of the people. But that’s hard to believe when he says it’s OK for 40 million to not have health insurance  they can just go to the ER. He said this in a recent 60 Minutes interview, and repeated it to other media outlets, saying, You go to the hospital, you get treated, and it’s paid for, either by charity, the government or by the hospital.</p><p>I ask the questions: What charities will pick up these tabs? Have hospitals started donating their services? Which government is he referring to: Federal? State? Local? How will these governments pay for this health care?</p><p>President Barack Obama’s Affordable Care Act, on the other hand, does things differently. It establishes mechanisms so all Americans will be able to get insurance. With everyone covered, the cost of premiums goes down. Finally, the ACA has many provisions that protect consumers from the predatory practices of insurance companies, such as capping payouts, refusing coverage and arbitrarily canceling insurance.</p><p>Mr. Romney has no health insurance plan. Vote for President Obama to ensure that all Americans have access to health insurance.</p><p><em>Dawn Kucera</em></p><p><em>Hendersonville</em></p><h3>Simple math</h3>
<p>To the editor: I was amused when I read the article about the Democratic Men’s Club discussing the advantages of Obamacare.</p><p>I recently had my first personal experience with Obamacare. I called three specialists in the Hendersonville/Asheville area. Two of them said they no longer accept Medicare due to cuts in their compensation. The third said he could see me in November. When I asked why it would take so long, I was told that as more and more doctors refuse Medicare, their appointment books get filled faster; and many people who would not even consider making an appointment now do so as it costs them next to nothing.</p><p>They said it was simple math. When you keep the same number of doctors and you add 20 million new patients, the wait will get longer and longer. Be prepared.</p><p><em>Peter Hobson</em></p><p><em>Hendersonville</em></p><h3>District judges</h3>
<p>To the editor: Vote both for Emily Cowan and Peter Knight for District Court judge.</p><p>Confused? So are many, so I went on the Board of Elections website to take a look at a sample ballot. There are two contested seats for District Court judge in District 29B (Henderson, Polk and Transylvania counties).</p><p>Judge Peter Knight, serving 2008-12, is up for re-election for his current seat. I have known Peter most of the 32 years he has served as a lawyer and a judge. We need him to continue his work on our behalf! So vote to re-elect Judge Peter Knight.</p><p>Emily Cowan, with her family’s support and commitment, is running for the District Court judge’s seat vacated by Judge David Fox’s retirement. Emily’s professional and volunteer experiences have led to this election. Her focus is on family and children’s issues. She knows her stuff. Vote Emily Cowan for District Court judge.</p><p><em>Kristin L. Huntley</em></p><p><em>Flat Rock</em></p><h3>A bonafide hero</h3>
<p>To the editor: Thank you, Times-News, for the Oct. 5 front-page article, Quadruple amputee comes home as war hero, telling the story of Travis Mills and how his life was changed forever on April 10, losing parts of all four of his limbs after stepping on an IED in Afghanistan.</p><p>I have been following Travis’ journey on his website since April, and he is an amazing young man with an amazing wife and a 1-year-old daughter who are on this journey with him. Travis’ positive attitude and constant smile are infectious, and you cannot help but smile with him even knowing the many challenges he faces.</p><p>Heroes are not movie stars or ballplayers. Heroes are men and women like Travis Mills who are willing to lay down their lives to protect us. Let us not forget them as we go about our daily lives, and take every opportunity to say thank you. They are two little words that let our protectors know how much they are appreciated.</p><p>When I am having a bad day, I think of Travis and other wounded warriors, and I realize that my day isn’t so bad after all!</p><p><em>Jocelyne Wakefield</em></p><p><em>Horse Shoe</em></p><h3>Illegal activity</h3>
<p>To the editor: As the election draws closer, I would like to remind Democrats and our supporters that vandalism, theft and harassment are crimes. Removing candidate signs and trespassing are illegal, too. The victims of these acts are our friends and neighbors, co-workers and Americans in general. I will not encourage or condone any illegal or mischievous activity.</p><p>On Nov. 7, the election will be over, and we will all get back to the business of carrying on with our daily lives. The next-door neighbor who had the yard sign and bumper stickers that were opposite what you had will still be there. Our children will go to school together, and we will still work, shop, worship and be citizens of this great country together.</p><p>Please try to remember that before you do something in the heat of the political moment. The differences in our political ideologies make our system of government strong. Ultimately, that is what we all want.</p><p><em>Shelly Kingsley</em></p><p><em>Hendersonville</em></p><h3>First Amendment</h3>
<p>To the editor: Our country was founded on choice. Today, we cherish our right to choose: our religious beliefs, schooling for our children, where to live, and what to agree and disagree with.</p><p>Our First Amendment rights were written down as a promise to the states’ rights Founding Fathers who were afraid of a central government that would not honor our right to choose.</p><p>Our choices were more clearly defined in the vice presidential debate. Which candidate upholds the First Amendment? Which candidate does not? Let’s look at these choices with respect to abortion.</p><p>Martha Raddatz: This debate is, indeed, historic. We have two Catholic candidates And I would like to ask you both to tell me what role your religion has played in your own personal view on abortion. Both candidates answered this question with equal eloquence, both indicating how religion defines who they are and how life begins at conception.</p><p>But here is where we have to choose. Barack Obama/Joe Biden refuse to impose their religious beliefs on American women. Mitt Romney/Paul Ryan believe this personal situation should not be made by choice but by legislation.</p><p>Our Founding Fathers gave us religious freedom. Why do the Republicans want deny us our First Amendment rights?</p><p><em>Judy Ader</em></p><p><em>Hendersonville</em></p>